Apparatus and method for producing customised containers of cigarettes

Abstract

Cigarettes are stored in one or more reservoirs at a customer location. A computer receives customer orders and transmits them to a dispenser. Upon receipt of a customer order, a pre-selected number of cigarettes is automatically removed from the reservoir(s) by the dispenser and then automatically packed in a container by a packer comprising a collation mandrel which is movable relative to the dispenser. A preferred type of substantially air-tight, self-sealing container has a lid portion, a body portion and a collar, which is mounted within the body portion. The body portion is provided with one or more upwardly extending protrusions on the upper surface of the base thereof. An air and moisture impermeable membrane is sealed about the upper periphery of the collar.

The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. A substantially air-tight customized container of cigarettes produced by:
 providing a reservoir of cigarettes at a customer location; 
 automatically removing a pre-selected number of cigarettes from the reservoir in response to a customer order; and 
 packing the removed pre-selected number of cigarettes into a container comprising a lid portion, a body portion and a collar having a substantially air and moisture impermeable membrane affixed to the upper surface thereof, the collar being mounted within the body- portion and surrounding the upper ends of the cigarettes in the container, wherein the collar is divided into two or more compartments. 
 
     
     
       2. A container according to  claim 1  further comprising means mounted at the base of the body portion for raising the upper end of one or more of the cigarettes in the container relative to the upper ends of other cigarettes therein. 
     
     
       3. A container according to  claim 1  comprising two or more different types of cigarette. 
     
     
       4. A container according to  claim 3  wherein each of the compartments contains cigarettes of only one of the two or more different types. 
     
     
       5. A container according to  claim 4  wherein the interior of the collar is divided into two or more compartments. 
     
     
       6. A container according to  claim 1  wherein the membrane is affixed to'the collar by a re-sealable adhesive. 
     
     
       7. The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is sealed under partial vacuum. 
     
     
       8. The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is oval in cross-section. 
     
     
       9. The container according to  claim 8 , wherein the body and lid are made of aluminum. 
     
     
       10. The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is resealable and includes a pull tab. 
     
     
       11. A substantially air-tight, self-sealing container for use with apparatus for the production of a customized container of cigarettes at a customer location, the apparatus comprising:
 a reservoir for storing cigarettes at the customer location; 
 a dispenser for automatically removing a pre-selected number of cigarettes from the reservoir at the customer location in response to a customer order; 
 computing means adapted to receive a customer order at the customer location and to transmit the customer order to the dispenser; and 
 a packer for automatically packing the removed pre-selected number of cigarettes into a container at the customer location, the container comprising a lid portion, a body portion and a collar, mounted within the body portion, having a substantially air and moisture impermeable membrane affixed to the upper surface thereof, wherein the collar is divided into two or more compartments. 
 
     
     
       12. A container according to  claim 11  further comprising an insert mounted at the base of the body portion raising the upper end of six cigarettes placed in the container relative to the upper ends of six other cigarettes in the group. the container is sealed under partial vacuum. 
     
     
       13. The container according to  claim 11 , wherein the container is sealed under partial vacuum.